“Unlike Dr Jarvis, the possibility of better-informed patients ‘marching into surgeries and asking things’ does not fill us with horror. We are convinced that it is better that the public should be informed by peer-reviewed research than by pressure groups or research as it is reported in the media.”

“It is not for either publishers or academics to decide who should, and who shouldnot, be allowed to read scientific journal articles. We are encouraged by the growinginterest in research findings shown by the public. It is in society’s interest that publicunderstanding of science should increase. Increased public access to research findingsshould be encouraged by publishers, academics and Government alike.”